Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  Impressed - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Cono - October 24 - 1:26 am

  Purchased this vehicle used certified. Initially skeptical as vehicle was already 4yrs old and 2000 was the intial yr for this model. However, unit only had 25K miles. Ive been extremely happy with the vehicle. Its paid off, and has had minimal problems during ownership. Minor repairs included internal thermostat replacement, exhaust joint component replacement, CD player, and headlight replacement. All repairs were covered under warranty, but would have cost < $300. Recently, Ive noticed some minor oil spotting and some interior lights (buttons) that are not lit - most probably a fuse.

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  My Wifes Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Railfan - October 21 - 11:43 am

  On Nov. 03 of 2001, my wife and I purchased or second Volvo. The first was a new 1988 740 Turbo (which still runs as well as the day we drove it home). As the 88 was approaching 14 years of age, we thought that a newer vehicle should transport both my wife and son. My wife spotted her soon-to- be-new car on the dealers lot of Bozzani Volvo (Covina, CA) when, one day she dropped the 88 740 off for its usual servicing. As she was walking through the lot, she spotted the 2001 Cross Country (dark blue) and, in short, the rest is history. To those who report that the Volvo is the next best thing to a tank, we agree.

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  Would I do it again? - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Psycho - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Yes, if it were a newer model S80. The 1999 & to a lesser extent 2000 model were plagued with electrical problems. Since I bought mine, the steering rack, gas tank door stop, rt headlamp assy, computer software, various light bulbs, electronic throatle body assy, body rattles, & other stuff too numerous to remember have been diagnosed as defective. Volvo of Nashville declined to honor the factory warranty, & gave poor service. Volvo of Cinncinatti was great! You cant gas up w/o removing the key or the computer goes wacky. Too many quirks. Quality greatly improved after Ford took over and poured $$ into Volvo. S60 is bullet proof per several servie

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  Multi Volvo Family - 2005 Volvo S60
  By ABrown - October 9 - 11:40 pm

  Just purchased the 2.5T sedan. After 306,000 miles on my 88 240. Love the get up and go, gas mileage, and solid feel. My husband has an 86 240 wagon which he will replace with a 96 (he believes in recycling). We are a true volvo family impressed by the reliability and safety factor. Besides the safety factor, the key selling point for us was Volvos turning radius. That unfortunately has been replaced with a significantly inferior turning radius. Volvo whatever were you thinking????

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  1998 V70 Wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By merley - October 2 - 10:00 am

  The V70 definatly feels more sturdy than our Camry, solid like you would imagine a tank feels. Crisp handling/steering can be fatiguing on long trips because the slightest move of the wheel sends you off course. Braking is excellent with 4 wheel disc/anti-lock during the yellow light power stops Ive never had anyone stop as quikly as me. Acceleration? Im not so impressed but its better than the Camry. The seats are very comortable (but see improvement area for related comments). The leather quality seems better than average.

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  if u can buy it you can afford to fix it - 1998 Volvo S70
  By LUVMYVOLVO - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased very high mileage Volvo S70 GLT. 156000 mile on a 1998. Got a great deal. Volvos can go on for ever with a little bit of TLC. Encountered some minor power window problems and some instrument lights were out. Over all the car still drives like new. Repairs included-New stutts and mountings, one tire, balancing and alleignment--$750.00

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  So far, so good - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By DarylH - October 2 - 10:00 am

  After driving SUVs and trucks for the past 10 years, this is a pleasant change (after some getting used to). Drives beautifully, great gas mileage.Cant say I like the geartronic feature. As other have indicated, its somewhat difficult to use and there is a lag before shifting.

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  Handles like a race car! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By MELCHIORRI - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Great SUV. But, because of it being new I have had a few problems: radio and map go on and off in cold weather. hub cap bolts rusted back struts needed replacement the first month breaks in front needed replacement 1st month. THIS SHOULD NOT DETER YOU. I EXPECTED SOME CONCERNS BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW MODEL. THE DEALERSHIP NEW OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. I AM SURE THIS YEARS MODEL WILL COME OUT IN BETTER SHAPE.

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  Better Than Average - 2001 Volvo V70
  By TEF - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Special ordered thru Diplomat Sales program with 5-Spd MANUAL transmission and cloth interior. Over the last 10 years, Ive replaced only brake pads/rotors, timing belt and one emission component. Obviously having a manual transmission, spared me the universal problems associated with auto transmissions, but the car has been very dependable by any measure. Other than brakes and rotors that I replaced myself, total repairs by dealers and/or privite shops since 2001 total less than $1,000.

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  First Impression - Great ride! - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By temsmedic - September 23 - 4:55 pm

  Wow, what a change, moving from a Honda Civic Hybrid! I know that the 300 hp is going to get me into trouble! I REALLY miss the large digital speed display on my Honda, because I REALLY need to keep an eye on my speed with this thing! It is way too easy to get up and moving above the speed limit I had a great experience purchasing it from Sandberg Volvo, after my local dealer wouldnt match the USAA price, and Sandberg gave me an interest rate 1/2 of USAAs. I was a bit worried about the poor reviews of the digital interface, but I find it easy to use, EXCEPT the nav system is not as easy to use as Garmin. I still cant find a way to pull up stored waypoints,